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  • Intellectuals and Society

  • By: Thomas Sowell
  • Narrated by: Tom Weiner
  • Length: 11 hrs and 22 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (109 ratings)

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Intellectuals and Society

By: Thomas Sowell
Narrated by: Tom Weiner
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Publisher's Summary

This is a study of how intellectuals as a class affect modern societies by shaping the climate of opinion in which official policies develop, on issues ranging from economics to law to war and peace.

The thesis of Intellectuals and Society is that the influence of intellectuals is not only greater than in previous eras but also takes a very different form from that envisioned by those like Machiavelli and others who have wanted to directly influence rulers. It has not been by shaping the opinions or directing the actions of the holders of power that modern intellectuals have most influenced the course of events, but by shaping public opinion in ways that affect the actions of power holders in democratic societies, whether or not those power holders accept the general vision or the particular policies favored by intellectuals. Even government leaders with disdain or contempt for intellectuals have had to bend to the climate of opinion shaped by those intellectuals.

Intellectuals and Society not only examines the track record of intellectuals in the things they have advocated but also analyzes the incentives and constraints under which their views and visions have emerged. One of the most surprising aspects of this study is how often intellectuals have been proved not only wrong, but grossly and disastrously wrong in their prescriptions for the ills of society-- and how little their views have changed in response to empirical evidence of the disasters entailed by those views.

©2009 Thomas Sowell (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

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Inteligencia...a scourge on history

I was living in London when the events of 9/11 occurred. I remember all the war mongering and posturing by friends and work colleagues. People waxed lyrically about France's reluctance to invade Iraq. I had a friend in Iraq protecting French interests before the Anglo/U.S invasion but...ain't nobody listening when jingoistic fervour takes hold. This book puts so much more context on that time for me. I don't know why I haven't heard of Thomas Sowell before.
This one was a little boring at first, but I'm glad I hung around. We'll worth the listen.
I came here after completing Black Rednecks and White Liberals.

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Rare bit of intelligence

For anyone interested in facts vs narrative, issues with groupthink, modern misconceptions and generally critical thinking and use of one’s own brain, this is a must read. Anyone who already knows everything should not bother as their views are firm and need no criticisms or facts. Well done Mr Sowell - respect!

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Excellent Book

I really enjoyed this book. it was well read and full fascinating information. There's so much in here I. going to have to listen several times. Thomas Sowell is a fascinating person.

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enlightening and important

Every single university student should be made to read this before they are assaulted with ideology. Absolute brilliance

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very important book

This book was very helpful to show me what is going on in our society and why people seem to insist on destroying it. It shows me the importance of making sure that ideas are checked against evidence.

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Enlightening.

I recommend for those truly interested in understanding "why" and not just a confirmation bias viewpoint

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Profoundly insightful and highly accessible.

Never before has the public been so subjected to the opinions of the few. Thomas Sowell’s book is a vitally important contribution in a time when so many are taught what to think and not how to think. One of the most important books of the modern era.

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great book, very much enjoyed the contents,

love this book, significantly increased my knowledge, I may need to have hard copy text

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  • Ed
  • 25-06-2018

Deep and profound analysis

A completely eye opening view of todays political and cultural civil war. Even though it was written some years ago it provides a model of prediction of how our society could unfold

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